Heat treating apparatus



Aug. 4, 1936. T. D. WILLIAMS HEAT TREATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l im S,

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Aug. 4, 1936. T. D. WILLIAMS 0 HEAT TREATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l hwenor EQOA/m5 D. WML/QMS,

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Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT (')FFICE to The American Steel and Wire Company of New Jersey, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 14,

2 Claims.

'I'his invention covers a heat treating apparatus which includes a separable heating bell and work-carrying base constructed to cooperatively form an enclosure when brought ver- 5 tically together, one of the objects being to heat the work evenly throughout by means of this apparatus. Other objects may be inferred.

The apparatus is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section.

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-section taken from the line II-II in Figure l.

More specifically, a bell il and base 2 are constructed to cooperatively form an enclosure when brought vertically together. Heating elements 3 and 4 are mounted in the bell.

The base 2 provides a raised, recessed portion 5 that is centrally position so as to extend up into the bell I. The recess 6 is of annular shape, and at least one heating element l is mounted in it.

A liquid seal 8 is circumferentially carried by the base 2. As is customary, the Work within the bell is enclosed by a sheet metal hood which extends between the bell i and base2 into the seal 8.

To protect the element 'I against falling matter, a sheet metal lhood I0 is constructed to cover the base and extend into the seal 8. This hood.has a raised portion II fitting the portion of the base 2. Annular corrugations I2 are formed in the top of the portion II for the purpose of preventing buckling, and the base 2 is constructed to permit expansionof the side` wall I3 of the portion II. This construction includes an annular recess VIII in the part of the base 2 which is adjacent its portion 5, whereby vertical movement of the side wall I3 is accommodated.

The base 2 is provided with vertical pipes I5 which pass completely through its raised porti'on 5. Other vertical pipes I6 are loosely arranged through the Apipes I5 and project through the top of the raised portion II of the hood 9 in gas-tight connection therewith. ThisA connection may be made by welding the projecting ends of the pipes I 6 to the top of the portion II of the hood 9, as at I1.

Ahearth casting I8 rests on top of the portion II of the hood 9 so as to be supported by the raised portion 5 of the base 2. This hearth casting is constructed so as not to unduly obstruct the ends of the pipes I6 and so as to support the work. As is usual, the hood 9 includes a depending portion 9a which acissi, vseriali N0. 739,807

(oi. 26e-5) commodates the heating element d, and the hearth casting t8 is provided with an annular socket I9 which engages the portion 9a of the hood when the latter drops because of the heat.

The apparatus here disclosed is usually used 5 to treat coiled steel strip, as indicated at 20, and all of the parts describedare therefore of a generally circular shape.

Also, the strip is usually bathed in a nonoxidizing atmosphere, which may be introduced l() through the pipes |16. These pipes are connected to pipes 2i through readily releasable couplings 22. The arrangement is such that one or more of the pipes will introduce the inert atmosphere whilethe others are funcl5=- tioning as outlets.

Heretofore the bases used with :furnaces of the' bell type have simply functioned to suplport the work. The heating elements 3 and Were depended -upon to heat the strip evenly, 20 and were carefully arranged with this in mind. However, experience has proven that the strip cannot be heated evenly in this manner. The use of the apparatus disclosed provides for the even heating desired, and is therefore a decided 25 improvement.

It should be noted that the work is enclosed between two sheet metal hoods which both extend into the same liquid seal. There is thus absolutely no chance for any leakage to occur. 3o Furthermore, should it become necessary to service the element 1, the pipes I6 may be uncoupled from the pipes 2l, and the hood Ill and the pipes I6 raised bodily from the base so that the element is exposed.

Although aV speciiic example of the apparatus is disclosed in accordance with the patent statutes, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited thereby, except as dened by the following claims.

' I claim:

1. Heat treating apparatus including a separable bell and base which are constructed to cooperatively form an enclosure when brought vertically together, heating elements mounted in said bell, said base providing a raised, recessed portion that is centrally positioned so as to extend up into said bell, a heating element mounted in said recess, a liquid seal circumferentially carried by said base, a sheet metal hood constructed to cover said base and extend into said seal, said hood having a raised portion fitting said recessed portion and in the top of which annular corrugations are formed, said base being constructed to permit expansion of the side 2 aosdoe wall oi' said portion of said hood, vertical pipes removably arranged through said base and projecting through the top of the raised portion of said hood in gas-tight connection therewith, and means on said'base over said hood for supporting work within said bell.

2. Heat treating apparatus including a separable bell and base which are constructed to cooperatively form an enclosure when brought 10 vertically together, said base providing a raised;

recessed portion that is centrally positioned 'so as to extend up into said bell, a heating element mounted in said recess, and a sheet metal hood constructed to cover said base, said hood having a raised portion tting said recessed- THOMAS D. WILLIAMS. 10 

